Tag: Awkward

Have you ever watched a scene in a movie and wondered how the characters moved on? Maybe it’s a beautiful concluding love scene. Maybe it’s just there to give you a vital piece of information or character development. Maybe it puts the characters in an embarrassing situation and its only use is comic relief. But no matter the scene’s purpose, if you were in the character’s shoes, you don’t know what you would say or do to get out of it. But fortunately, the characters don’t have to take a next step because the director swoops in and transports them to the next scene.

Recently I watched the 1999 BBC adaption of Wives and Daughters and had such a moment. Sadly, Elizabeth Gaskell died before she wrote the last chapter of the book. Obviously the makers of the BBC series could not leave the story unfinished and had to improvise the ending.

Donald Trump says that Ted Cruz is a nasty guy. I disagree and I have a story to prove it.

I have heard Ted Cruz speak on multiple occasions. The first time was when I interned in D.C. I decided then that if Cruz ever ran for president, I would support him. The last time was when he made a campaign stop in my small town. I was apart of the overflow crowd outside of the restaurant.

When he finished the Q&A time, everyone lined up on either side of the door and made a path to his bus. Cruz slowly made his way through the path greeting voters on both sides. Finally he came to me.

He looked me right in the eye.

And reached out his hand. I did the same.

Suddenly a man in a green shirt jumped from behind me and grabbed the Senator’s hand.

While Cruz kindly greeted the man he grasped my hand in his left hand for a second. It was an incredibly awkward second for me. I didn’t know what to do with myself.

Another voter came up to get Cruz’s autograph. He was successful.

Then, to my surprise, Ted Cruz turned back to me. He looked me directly in the eye and shook my hand.

He didn’t have to do that. With everyone crowding around him, I would have understood if he moved on. His presence of mind impressed me. Maybe he thought the left-handed shake was awkward too.

In that moment, I didn’t feel like a member of a crowd waiting to greet the man I hope to call president. I felt valued as an individual.